Print this pageLeading the Way

The Town of Vail is working to be an environmental leader and to protect Vail's natural environment and quality of life.

Open Space
Over 33 percent of the Town of Vail has been purchased by the Town to be saved as open space for future generations.

Recycling Program
The Town of Vail hosts a recycling center behind the Community Development Department, which collects paper, plastic, newsprint, magazines, metal and plastic cans and cardboard for post consumer recycling.

Resource Efficiency
The Town of Vail conducted a two-year program to save energy and conserve resources in various Town facilities. The resource conservation program achieved an estimated operation savings of $60,000 per year. This included a reduction and elimination of approximately 1.2 million pounds of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere for electricity generation

Renewable Energy
Currently 5 percent of the Town’s electricity is generated by wind power. On annual basis this prevents 360 tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere and keeps 131 tons of coal in the ground.

Ecosystem Protection
Town of Vail is partnering with the U.S. and Colorado State Forest Service to remove trees that are dead or infested by mountain pine beetles on approximately 29 acres of Town-owned land, located on the upper bench of Donovan Park. As part of a program known as the Town of Vail Forest Health Project, this will be the first of many phases to mitigate trees infested or killed by the mountain pine beetle on Town-owned land. Benefits of the project will include a reduction in wildfire fuels, aspen tree enhancement and maintenance and rejuvenation and vegetative diversity of the forest, which will begin to be noticeable during the next 20 years.

Where possible, herbicide use has been replaced with Integrated Pest Management practices. Instead of spraying an area, it is restored to a natural state so native grasses can reestablish and noxious weeds are reduced.

Parks Management
The Town of Vail Public Works Department implemented a computerized irrigation system uses approximately 38 percent less water per year or a reduction of over 13 million gallons of water per year.

The Town composts and/or chips all branches, grass clippings and leaves to be used for mulch and compost. Left over mulch is then provided free to Vail residents.

Public Transportation
Vail operates the largest free mass transit system in the U.S. The Town’s fleet of buses has been upgraded to the cleanest and quietest diesel buses available. In 2006, the Town purchased a hybrid bus to be added to its fleet. In 2007, the Town will add 10 more hybrid buses. These buses create better fuel economy and cleaner emissions, as well as reduce noise pollution.

Other Green Projects

  • The Town provides raw water for irrigation
  • The Town has purchased hybrid electric vehicles for staff use
  • The Town uses 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper in copiers
  • The Public Works Department devised a system to collect scrap steel and discard to a sheet metal company
  • Joint recycling projects with Vail Resorts, Inc., owner and operator of Vail Mountain, are being created to recycle tires and building materials